Pavilion bids open through Feb. 16

    Phillips County Board of Commissioners, with Joe Kinnie re-elected as chairman for 2018, reported the month’s activity at their Jan. 31 meeting.
    The County is currently taking bids for both a contractor to erect the new fairgrounds pavilion and education center and a contractor to build the concrete foundation. Sealed bids will be accepted until Friday, Feb. 16, at 4:30 p.m. They will be opened and read aloud at a regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m.
    Assuming bids are awarded on a timely basis, concrete work should begin March 1. Building materials from Maverick Steel are scheduled to be delivered the week of March 19. The board has considered a number of change orders to the bid and specifications from Maverick Steel submitted December 2017. They will be formally approved at a later meeting.
    With at least four concrete piers complete, the County hopes to start construction of the building by March 26. Both the contractor erecting the building and the concrete contractor will be working at the same time to get the building up.
    Commissioners expect actual construction of the pavilion structure to take 12 weeks.
    
Candles no longer allowed in County buildings
    It’s a small change on paper, but commissioners made a decision last month that will affect many events, parties and receptions in Holyoke.
    After receiving a recommendation from the County’s insurance carrier, the board banned the future use of any candles or open flame devices in all County-owned property, including the Event Center.
    
Purchases made
    Commissioners approved the purchase of a 2019 Freightliner 122SD from Transwest Truck Trailer RV. The purchase price is $127,766. After trading in a 2009 Mack truck, the net price is $100,462.
    The board also approved the purchase of a new Re-Verber-Ray heater for the landfill baler building. The cost is $5,401.50 from Black Hills Energy.
    
Personnel changes made
    Polly Fetzer has been hired as the new administrative assistant for the Department of Human Services.
    Deanna Webster has also been moved to a full-time position as administrative support for 2018. Her salary will be shared by the administration/planning office, the landfill, and the road and bridge department.

Other business
    In other business during the month of January, commissioners:
    —Approved the Phillips County Annual Wildfire Operating Plan for 2018 as proposed by Sheriff Thom Elliott.
    —Wrote letters of support for the Haxtun Ambulance Service for an application for a new ambulance and the Holyoke Ambulance Service for two applications for additional equipment.
    —Met with Holyoke Chamber of Commerce director Elizabeth Hutches. The chamber is planning to bring in an artificial skating rink for a weekend, supported by a donation from the Heginbotham Trust. The County agreed to allow use of the fairgrounds for the event if an appropriate site can be found.
    —Signed a maintenance contract with Platinum Technology for IT services for 2018 at a cost of $4,375 per month.
    —Met with representatives of Jack’s Bean Company and agreed to swap two small parcels of land west of the fairgrounds, which will be advantageous to both entities.
    —Worked on appointments for various County boards and reviewed general policies and fees for the year.